Canada

East Coast Gaming Congress Announces Revised Schedule for 25th Annual Conference September 21-23 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2022

The 25^th annual East Coast Gaming Congress will feature more than 50 speakers, including top CEOs, the Governor of New Jersey, and scores of industry experts as it convenes September 21-23 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

Several hundred gaming industry leaders, legislators, regulators, educators, suppliers, gaming lawyers, media, and other stakeholders will attend the conference’s Silver Jubilee to learn more about the trends, challenges, and critical issues facing all segments of the gaming industries.

The luncheon will feature a keynote address from Hon. Phil Murphy, Governor of New Jersey, and will also include the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to industry veteran Virginia McDowell.

Bill Miller, President and CEO, American Gaming Association, will provide an update and analysis on national issues.

The revised schedule, announced today, includes:

Wednesday, September 21

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Registration

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Welcome Cocktail Reception, Hard Rock Café, SPONSORED BY: Sightline

Thursday, September 22

7:00 am Continental Breakfast

8:15 am Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr.

James T. Plousis, Chairman, New Jersey Casino Control Commission

Opening Keynote: Bill Miller, CEO, American Gaming Association

8:50 am – 9:40 am Sports Betting: Which Model Is Working Best?

Now legal and active in 31 US jurisdictions, it seems no two states have the same sports betting model. From an online-only model to a model offering dozens of skins to one offering tax rates four to five times higher than others, states have created their own schemes in an effort to maximize results. But which model is working best? And should this be measured by GGR – or by state tax receipts? Do high tax rates matter? Operators and legislators debate.

Moderator: John Atkinson, Director of Business Development, Sports Illustrated Sportsbook/888 Holdings

Senator Jon Ford, State of Indiana; President, NCLGS
Gina Smith, Deputy Director of Gaming Compliance, Virginia Lottery
Elizabeth Suever, Vice President, Government Relations, Bally’s Corporation
Andrew Winchell, Director of Government Affairs, FanDuel

9:45 am – 11:15 am Industry Leaders Roundtable I

In the first segment of our ECGC signature roundtable events, these top executives from leading gaming companies gather to discuss the status and future of their industry.

Moderator: Lynne Levin Kaufman, Partner and Co-Chair, Gaming & iGaming Group, Cooper Levenson

James F. Allen, Chairman, Hard Rock International and CEO, Seminole Gaming

David Cordish, Chairman, The Cordish Companies

Jay Dorris, CEO, PCI Gaming Authority

Jason Guyot, President and CEO, Foxwoods Resort Casino

E. Brian Hansberry, President, Delaware North, Gaming

11:15 am – 11:45 am Networking Break

11:50 am – 12:40 pm Analyze This

Sports betting and igaming operators are spending tons on advertising and promotions. Is this smart? Casinos are facing competition from digital gaming and now even their own state lotteries. What does their future hold? Traditional casino companies have bought digital providers, technology companies and even media companies. How are these acquisitions panning out? Join a panel of distinguished Wall Street analysts and investors for a no-holds-barred discussion of the gaming industry from a financial perspective.

Moderator: David Isaacson, Senior Vice President, Spectrum Gaming Capital

Gabriel Fineberg, Vice President, Beach Point Capital Management
Colin Mansfield, Sector Head – US Gaming & Leisure, Fitch Ratings
Joel Simkins, Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey
Teddy Swigert, Managing Director, Credit Suisse

12:45 pm – 2:00 pm Luncheon – Keynote Speaker: New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy

– Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation to Virginia McDowell

2:00 pm – 2:50 pm Is Gaming Growing Responsibly?

Gaming is still growing, thanks to high-growth segments such as sports betting, ilottery, and igaming. But are legislators, regulators and operators ensuring that responsible-gaming programs have the necessary resources to keep pace with the rise in the number of gamblers and their increasing expenditures? What technology is – or should be available – to help both programs and gamblers? Are research projects adequately assessing the behaviors associated with the new generation of gaming?

Moderator: Marlene Warner, Principal, Spectrum Safer Gaming Advisors, and Executive Director, Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health

Shawn Fluharty, Minority Whip, West Virginia House of Delegates
Elizabeth Lanza, Director, Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Lia Nower, J.D., Ph.D., Director, Center for Gambling Studies, Rutgers University
Richard L. Taylor, Jr., Responsible Gaming Program Manager, BetMGM

2:55 pm – 3:45 pm The Northeast Cauldron

Casino operators throughout the intensively competitive Northeast not only have to compete among themselves these days, but also with digital gaming operators (both casino and sportsbook), rapidly evolving state lottery games, and, in some cases, the rapid spread of unregulated gaming devices in retail locations. How do land-based casinos continue to thrive in this environment, and do they view other forms of gaming as an opportunity or a threat? Operators from four states assess the state of play in the region.

Moderator: Joseph Weinert, Executive VP, Spectrum Gaming Group

Anthony Faranca, President, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Eric Hausler, CEO, Greenwood Racing (PARX Casino)
David Martinelli, Jr., Chief Marketing Officer, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment
Robert Norton, President, Cordish Gaming Group

3:45 pm – 4:00 pm Networking Break

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Industry Leaders Roundtable II

In the second segment of our ECGC signature roundtable events, these top executives from leading gaming companies gather to discuss the status and future of their industry.

Moderator: Juliann Barreto, Chief Operating Officer, Spectrum Gaming Group

Kevin Jones, Chief Strategy and Legal Officer, Resorts World Casino and Genting Americas
Jette Nygaard-Andersen, CEO, Entain
Ray Pineault, President and CEO, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment
Thomas Reeg, CEO, Caesars Entertainment
Jay Snowden, CEO, Penn National Gaming

6 pm – 8 pm Silver Anniversary Celebration, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Hard Rock Hotel &
Casino, SPONSORED BY: Meet AC

Friday, September 23

7:00 am Continental Breakfast

8:30 am Keynote Address – Howard S. Mittman, President, 888 US, Inc.

8:50 am – 9:40 am The Best Things in Gaming Right Now Are …

Sports betting is growing rapidly … historical horse racing is expanding where slots cannot … esports is just beginning to tie itself to gaming … the movement to cashless casino gaming is starting to take root. So, what exactly do casino operators and suppliers think are the best things going for the gaming industry at large?

Moderator: Lucas Levenson, Attorney, Cooper Levenson, Attorneys at Law

Brooke Fiumara, Chief Executive Officer, OPTX
Grant Johnson, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Esports Entertainment Group
Mandi Hart, Chief Client Solutions Officer, Sightline Payments
Deron Hunsberger, Chief Commercial Officer, Ainsworth Game Technology

9:45 am – 10:35 am State Regulators: Keeping Their Promise to Keep Pace?

When new technology brings forth new games, new ways to play those games, or new ways to transact money, gaming operators and suppliers want it – now! Ultimately, state gaming regulators determine whether – or how fast – such technology can be offered to the consumer. Are the regulators doing this quickly enough? Do they have the physical and human resources needed to keep pace in the rapidly evolving gaming industry? Regulators discuss this critical issue.

Moderator: Cyrus Pitre, Chief Enforcement Counsel, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

Stephen Cook, Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Cathy Judd-Stein, Chair, Massachusetts Gaming Commission
John Martin, Executive Director, Maryland Lottery
David Rebuck, Director, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
June E. Taylor, Chair, Ohio Casino Control Commission

10:35 am – 10:55 am Networking Break

10:55 am – 11:45 am Whither Igaming?

The limited rollout of igaming nationwide stands in stark contrast to the rollout of sports betting. Whereas 30 jurisdictions launched sports betting within 3½ years of the Supreme Court overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018 – including 21 that offer digital betting – only six states have launched igaming in the 8½ years since it began in 2013. One reason for the states’ caution toward igaming may be their concern for their casinos. Is such concern justified? Why the slow rollout of igaming? Will the rapid adoption of digital sports betting speed up the adoption of igaming?

Moderator: Sherry Amos, Principal, Spectrum Gaming Hospitality Group

Howard Glaser, Global Head of Government Affairs and Legislative Counsel, Light & Wonder
Jeffrey Millar, Commercial Director, North America, Evolution
Richard Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer, Rush Street Interactive
Luisa Woods, Vice President, Marketing, Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North

11:55 am – 12:45 pm Creating One Industry: Lotteries, Gaming

Lotteries and casinos have historically been separate industries. The Digital revolution is changing that. As ilottery and lottery courier services emerge, and as lotteries delve into sports betting and other shared verticals, what are the implications for policies and profits? At the same time, lotteries and casinos share a common challenge: unregulated slot machines.

Moderator: James A. Carey, Jr., Executive Director, New Jersey Lottery

Scott Bowen, Government Affairs Specialist, NeoPollard Interactive; former Commissioner, Michigan Lottery
Peggy Daniel, US General Manager, The Lotter/New Jersey Lotto LLC
Drew Svitko, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Lottery
Richard Weil, President, Richard Weil Group; Principal, Spectrum Gaming Lottery Group

Schedule is subject to change. For additional conference or sponsorship information, visit http://www.ecgc.us or contact Donna Vecere at [email protected].

The full conference schedule and registration is at www.ecgc.us. ECGC is organized and produced by Cooper Levenson, Attorneys at Law; Spectrum Gaming Group; Esports Entertainment Group; and Sports Illustrated Sportsbook.

Canada

Play’n GO announces partnership with Canadian operator Loto-Québec

Published

1 week ago

May 16, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

play’n-go-announces-partnership-with-canadian-operator-loto-quebec

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced a partnership with Canadian operator Loto-Québec, launching the Swedish gaming giant’s games into another Canadian province.

Already active in another Canadian province , this partnership sees Play’n GO’s content available in the province of Québec exclusively with Loto-Québec, a state-owned corporation, where online players now have access to titles such as Tome of Madness.

Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer, Play’n GO said: “At Play’n GO, we have always been clear in our vision to be active in every regulated market in the world, and this partnership with Loto-Québec is the next step on that journey.

“Our past success in Canada gives us confidence that players in Québec will enjoy the best Play’n GO content, and we look forward to many years of success with Loto-Québec in the province.”

Stéphane Martel, Head of Product and Innovation at Loto-Québec added: “As the sole iGaming operator in Québec, we pride ourselves on offering titles that truly add value to our platform, lotoquebec.com. We are happy to bring Play’n GO games to our players.”

Canada

Court Decision Upholds iGaming Ontario’s Model

Published

1 week ago

May 15, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

court-decision-upholds-igaming-ontario’s-model

iGaming Ontario has welcomed the decision of the Ontario Superior Court, which found that iGaming Ontario’s model is consistent with the Criminal Code and that iGaming Ontario is conducting and managing igaming in the province.

“We have always been confident in our model and are pleased that the court has ruled in our favour, and that Ontarians can continue to play with confidence in our regulated igaming market,” said Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGaming Ontario.

“Ontario’s model meets the requirements and contributes to the public good by protecting players, their data and their funds, while helping to fund priority public services in Ontario, and bringing well-paid, high-tech jobs and economic development to Ontario,” Otton added.

In dismissing the application brought forward by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK), the Superior Court found that iGaming Ontario is the “operating mind” behind Ontario’s competitive igaming market in accordance with the conduct and manage requirements of the Criminal Code.

iGaming Ontario will continue to conduct and manage igaming as it has since the launch of the regulated market on April 4, 2022.

Bragg Gaming Group

Bragg Gaming Appoints Renowned iGaming Executive Neill Whyte as Chief Commercial Officer

Published

2 weeks ago

May 10, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

bragg-gaming-appoints-renowned-igaming-executive-neill-whyte-as-chief-commercial-officer

Bragg Gaming Group, a global iGaming technology and content provider, announced that Neill Whyte has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective 1st May 2024, establishing a new global commercial structure at the Company and bolstering its leadership team.

Whyte brings over 18 years of experience in the iGaming sector, most recently in the role of Chief Commercial Officer at Digital Gaming Corporation’s (DGC), B2B iGaming Division. After joining DGC in early 2020, he was responsible for the commercially successful launch and growth of its content distribution business in the US.

Prior to joining DGC, Whyte held multiple positions in the gaming industry including as Head of Business Development at Isle of Man-based iGaming specialist Apricot Investments, as Board Member at Swedish iGaming product and Lottery content distributor Genera Networks, and in various senior roles over eleven years at leading iGaming content supplier Microgaming, including as Head of Product Channels.

In his new role with Bragg, Whyte will be tasked with leading the Company’s global commercial teams to drive growth across all of the Company’s product verticals which include proprietary online casino content from its Atomic Slot Lab, Indigo Magic and Wild Streak Gaming studios, exclusive content from content partners, HUB a leading casino content aggregation platform, Fuze player engagement, as well as its award-winning player account management (PAM) platform and turnkey solutions.

Matevž Mazij, Chief Executive Officer at Bragg, said: “I am very pleased to be announcing today the appointment of Neill Whyte as Chief Commercial Officer at Bragg. His iGaming product and market knowledge, together with his record in driving growth from developing successful and mutually beneficial commercial partnerships are exceptional.

“As we leverage our broad content and product portfolio to grow in existing and new markets, including in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe, Neill’s unique combination of knowledge, skills and experience in this sector are a perfect fit for our ambitions at Bragg.”

Neill Whyte, Chief Commercial Officer at Bragg, said: “It’s an honor to join Matevž and the wider teams at Bragg already in place across North America, Europe and in India. I have been impressed with the depth and quality of the content, product and technology offerings at Bragg, and its ability to rapidly adapt, certify and deploy this content and technology in newly regulated markets is a distinct advantage.

“We also have a huge opportunity to grow our footprint with our existing customers in markets in which we are already established. Our content and product roadmaps are second to none, and I’m planning to get on the road in the coming weeks and months to meet the team and our customers and to start building for the next stage of mutual growth. I can’t wait to get going.”